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Agricultural Literacy Week 2022

• Monday, March 21, 2022, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Thursday, March 24, 2022, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Friday, March 25, 2022, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

In celebration of National Agriculture Week, volunteers throughout the state will read a book with an agricultural theme to second graders. This year's selected book is Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table.

Students and teachers will also benefit from hands-on lessons and receive follow up activities.

The book will be given to the school library with a bookplate recognizing the donor and NY Ag Literacy Week.

2,000 books were donated last year while thousands of second graders participated in fun and educational activities.

Visit the New York State Ag in the Classroom website to learn more about statewide activities and to learn about agriculture-themed books that have been featured in other years.

Agricultural Literacy Week - Monday, March 21 - Friday, March 25
The selected book for 2022 is Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table.  Written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Art by Eric-Shabazz Larkin.

Agriculture is a unifying factor for communities all over. Whether you have 100 acres or a rooftop, there are opportunities for growing food and sharing the journey from soil to table with those around, as illustrated in Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table. This book will take students on an explorative journey learn about community gardens and inspire them to build communities through food, even if they only have a pot on their porch to cultivate.

Will Allen is no ordinary farmer. A former basketball star, he's as tall as his truck, and he can hold a cabbage, or a basketball, in one hand. But what is most special about Farmer Will is that he can see what others can't see. When he looked at an abandoned city lot he saw a huge table, big enough to feed the whole world. No space, no problem. Poor soil, there's a solution. Need help, found it. Farmer Will is a genius in solving problems. Jacqueline Briggs Martin tells the inspiring story of an innovator, educator, and community builder. Combined with artist Eric-Shabazz Larkin's striking artwork, readers will share Will Allen's optimism and determination to bring good food to every table. This story also showcases the unique diversity of agricultural operations that is especially applicable to New York's combination of rural, suburban, and urban landscapes.

Sponsorships & Donations

Would you like to fund the purchase of one or more books?

The books are $12 each and will be donated to the school library after being read.

Contact your county coordinator for more details on where to send your donation. Donors will be recognized on a special bookplate. You may choose to have your donated book sent to a specific school, or to read it yourself to your local school.

Volunteer

Volunteers will visit local elementary schools during Ag Literacy Week to read and talk to children about New York's agriculture industry.

At the conclusion of the day's activities, the book will be donated to the school library for students and teachers to use throughout the school year. 

SECOND GRADE TEACHERS & VOLUNTEERS - you can offer your support is as a volunteer reader! Those who are interested in participating in NY Ag Literacy Week, call or email Rachel Williams.

Last updated January 12, 2022